Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis with Three-Liter Exchanges: A Prospective Study

Abstract

In a prospective study all new patients entering our CAPD program were dialyzed with three-liter exchanges during the first training day and continued with this volume if they tolerated it. Of 47 new patients, 17 (36%) (Group A) tolerated three-liter exchanges, whereas the remaining 30 (Group B) were treated with 4 x two-liter exchanges per day. Group A contained 14 men and three women with an average age of 47 years and a mean body surface area of 1.7 m2. Group B had 15 men and 15 women with an average age of 52 years and a mean body surface area of 1.6 m2. The average follow-up period was 6.4 and 7.1 months respectively. In Group A, eight pa. tients continued on three-liter CAPD, six were transplanted, and three were converted to two-liter exchanges because of penile and scrotal swelling, nausea and vomiting, and shortness of breath. The two groups showed no difference in biochemical and B.P. control. The 24-hour protein losses in the dialysate were also similar. The incidence of peritonitis in Group A was one episode every 55 patient months, significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that in Group B -one episode every 14 patient months.